Since the first description of Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders more than 100 years ago, the diagnosis and therapy of these conditions have been based primarily on clinical experience and judgement. Until recently very little was known about the molecular basis of these diseases. In order to spark research in this area basic scientists and clinicians from various parts of the world have contributed to this volume, the first of its kind to put together the current knowledge. The book deals with the new WHO classification of these disorders, novel aspects of diagnostic pathology, the search for disease-relevant genes utilizing molecular biology and proteomic techniques, the description of the roles of PVR-1 and VHL genes for polycythemias and the discovery of the gene mutation responsible for the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. A chapter on anagrelide, an important novel drug for the treatment of primary thrombocythemia, is included.

Basics

1 Introduction: Towards a Molecular Classification of Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders
2 Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders: A Clinician's View
3 Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders: A Pathologist's View
4 Cytogenetics of Myeloproliferative Disorders
Polycythemia Vera
5 Classification and Molecular Biology of Polycythemias (Erythrocytoses)
6 Characterization of PRV-1, a Novel Hematopoietic Cell Surface Marker Overexpressed in Polycythemia Rubra Vera
7 Impaired Expression of the Thrombopoietin Receptor, Mpl, in Polycythemia Vera
8 Growth Factor Signaling in Polycythemia Vera Cells: Specific Hypersensitivities to Cytokines in the Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders
9 Role of the Antiapoptotic Protein Bcl-xL in the Pathogenesis of Polycythemia Vera
10 Involvement of Chromosome 9 and 11 in Familial and Sporadic Polycythemia Vera
Essential Thrombocythemia
11 Essential Thrombocythemia: Regulation of Megakaryocytopoiesis
12 Hereditary Thrombocythemia
13 Thromboembolic Complications in Essential Thrombocythemia: the Role of the Analysis of the Platelet Proteome
14 Clonality Studies in Essential Thrombocythemia
15 Molecular and Preclinical Aspects of Anagrelide Action
Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis
16 Prolactin-like Protein E and Megakaryocytopoiesis
17 Pathophysiology and Stem Cell Biology in Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia
18 Transforming Growth Factor ß1 in Myelofibrosis
19 Idiopathic Myelofibrosis: Evidence for Pathological Crosstalk Between Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Megakaryocytes
Mastocytosis
20 C-kit and Mastocytosis
21 Tryptases, a Marker of Occult Mastocytosis
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
22 Familial Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
23 Mononuclear Cell Preparations from Patients with Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndromes Do Not Express the Wilms' Tumor Gene
24 Clonality Analysis and Hypereosinophilia
25 Clonal Lymphocytes in Patients with Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome.